Is Break in Rate Hikes Significant to Buyers?
For the second consecutive week, mortgage rates decreased as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell two basis points to average 4.54 percent, Freddie Mac reports. Rates had been on a steady incline for weeks before breaking trend.
“Home buyers have taken advantage of the recent moderation in rates, which led to a 4 percent increase in purchase applications last week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Although demand has remained steadfast against the backdrop of this year’s higher borrowing costs, it’s important to note that the growth rate of purchase loan balances has moderated so far this year—and particularly since March. This slowdown indicates that buyers are having difficulty stretching to keep up with the pace of home price growth. … Listings for new and existing homes need to increase in the months ahead to moderate price growth and reignite sales activity.”
Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending June 7:
1. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.54 percent, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 4.56 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.89 percent.
2. 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.01 percent, with an average 0.4 point, falling from last week’s 4.06 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.16 percent.
3. 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.74 percent, with an average 0.4 point, falling from last week’s 3.80 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.11 percent.
Source: Freddie Mac
Daily Real Estate News | Friday, June 08, 2018
